We're Back?

A recent e-mail sent to me:

glad to see that your back
-Chuck

In that case, welcome back to the all-new StartedByAMouse.com.

OK, welcome back to the same ol' StartedByAMouse.com.

Though I've updated the site a few times since pretty much abandoning it in June, this week marks the first time that I've actively posted multiple articles since then. We had a preview of Bridge to Terabithia last Friday. A Walt Disney World photo tour entry of the MouseGear store at Epcot by Steve Burns on Tuesday. And a new batch of Disneyexpert's Instant Gratification Trivia questions by Sue Finstick yesterday. I'm hopeful that I'll be able to maintain more frequent updates into the future.

As long-time readers know, I wound up slowing things down shortly after the birth of my daughter. With the desire to spend as much time with my family and the increase in chores, errands and resposibilities with being a first-time dad, something had to give and it was this website. I have enjoyed the past 10 months being Chelsea's dad. I wouldn't have traded the time spent with her for the world. She's already been to Disneyland 15 times with The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and it's a small world among her favorite attractions.

I started feeling like I could again maintain this site late last year and thought about the best way to relaunch it. I've considered a site redesign. I've thought about restructuring the categories. I wanted to post something new each and every weekday, even coming up with themes for each day of the week ("Mousellaneous Mondays," "Theme Park Tuesdays," "Wallpaper Wednesdays," "Trivia Thursdays" and "Film Fridays"). But as each day passed by and I didn't do anything with the site, I finally figured that the best way to come back was simply to come back.

I'm learning that what I want this site to be and what it is are two different things. And I have to learn to accept that fact. I do not have the personal bandwidth and resources to make this a mega-Disney site on par with the LaughingPlaces, MousePlanets and MiceAges of the world. This always has been -- and always will be -- a much more personal and intimate corner of cyberspace. Hopefully quality over quantity. Hopefully full of unique and interesting topics as well.

I'm still not sure if I'll be able to find as much time to update as I might need in order to keep StartedByAMouse.com on a regular schedule. But I want to try. I like sharing my views on Disney, sharing photos that I take, sharing news of upcoming movies, sharing trivia. I'm thankful for everyone who takes a few minutes out of their busy day to check out what we've posted. And thankful for those of you, like Chuck, who take that extra minute to let us know how we're doing. It is very much appreciated.

So for now, I'll be somewhat hesitant in my proclamation that StartedByAMouse.com is back. Hopefully, soon, I'll be able to shout it with much more authority.

Regards,
Matt